Page 68 of The Bride and the Billionaire Grump

Maybe I’m reading into it again. Maybe he’s just being nice.

I can’t help but feel like there’s more to it, though. With him here and touching me, I can feel that connection, I know it’s not made up.

Looking into his eyes, he seems sincere.

I wish I didn’t, but I’m happy he’s here. I feel happy that he’s concerned.

I didn’t expect to feel so hurt when he turned cold. I didn’t want to care about him or have feelings for him. It was always very clear that we could never go further than what we were, which was just a one-night thing.

If I’m honest with myself, I wanted it. I wanted the whole thing, I wanted him to say that he wanted me; I wanted him to say that I’m worth fighting for.

I know it was stupid, especially after going over it in my mind a thousand times.

I look at Aaron. He’s here. He’s real. I can feel the energy between us. I still feel crazy, though.

I try to talk but my voice comes out raspy.

He leans down so his face is almost on mine. My heart races.

“I’m scared,” I blurt out. “What if it’s what my mom had?”

He strokes my hair. “I will make sure you’re taken care of no matter what. Okay?”

I nod and hold onto his hand.

I don’t understand, though. Does that mean he cares, or is he just being nice?

The medics continue to work around me, taking my blood pressure and monitoring my vitals.

I close my eyes, needing a moment to shut out the current chaos.

I focus on Aaron’s hand wrapped around mine. As the sirens continue to blare, it’s the only thing making me feel better.

CHAPTER 22

MILLIE

Iknow from experience that nurses are the glue that hold a hospital together.

As odd as it sounds, I made friends with the staff at my mom’s hospital. When you’re there a lot over the span of a few years, you become familiar.

The fact that the doctors couldn’t save my mom, despite all the advancements in medicine, made me lose faith. What’s the point of medicine if you can’t save everyone?

They tried to assure me that advancements are made every day, but it doesn’t seem fast enough.

Hospitals aren’t a comforting place for me. Right now, I’m staring up at the white lights on the ceiling and trying not to freak out while they take some scans.

I remember when my mom was diagnosed and how calm she was throughout everything; how she ended up comforting me.

She was probably just putting on a brave face or maybe she really was just strong, or maybe that’s just being a parent.

Right now, I wish she was here with me.

I wish she was telling me the story about my uncle running away from a squirrel and ending up in the hospital with a concussion.

She was always good at distracting me.

I should probably call Danielle and tell her what’s going on, but I also don’t want to freak her out until I have more information.

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